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What does "F.T.M." mean?

"F.T.M." is an abbreviation for "female-to-male" transsexual, in other words, women who undergo the medical and
legal procedures necessary to become men. "F.T.M." refers to people who are female by birth but who have male or masculine
identities or appearances, which can include tomboys, butches, drag kings, gender benders, transsexuals, transgenderists, intersexuals, and other forms of gender expression.

Why do they do that?

There are as many reasons as there are people doing it. "Intersexuals" are born with conditions that give them a combination male and female physical traits;
"transsexuals" seek to alter their bodies to conform to their internal concept of self; "drag kings" perform gender bending roles as a profession or hobby;
"butches" are masculine-appearing women, usually perceived as lesbians, though that is not necessarily the case; "gender variant" people have spiritual, political,
cultural, social or personal reasons they feel compelled to live or dress differently than conventionally expected by society. These people are often referred to by the umbrella term
"transgendered", especially in a political context, e.g. "the transgendered civil rights movement."

Is it a form of mental illness?

Conventional medical diagnosis recognises several kinds of psychiatric disorders relating to gender, such as "gender-identity disorder", "Gender Dysphoria",
"Transsexualism", and so forth. However any gender variant people believe very strongly that the right to identify their gender and act accordingly is not a pathology; but is
instead the sign of a mature, thoughtful, and intelligent adult.

Aren't F.T.M.s just lesbians who can't deal with the homophobia in our society and pretend to be men in order to avoid being
lesbian-baited?

F.T.M. transgenderism cuts across all orientations, all races, all cultures, all economic classes, and all walks of life. Some
F.T.M. people prefer female partners, some prefer male partners, some prefer transgendered partners, some prefer partners who are not
transgendered. Some change their preference after transition. Some do not. There is no correlation between sexual orientation and gender-identity.

Who would want to partner with somebody like that?

Many men, women and transgendered people are specifically attracted to transgendered people because of their unique personal qualities and have satisfying, fulfilling relationships.
But for someone who has just discovered that their partner is transgendered it can be upsetting and stressful to work through the issues necessary to regain balance in their
relationship.

Is it really possible to turn a woman into a man?

A combination of male hormones, surgery and masculine apparel can remake a very feminine appearing person into a very masculine appearing person. Documentation can also be successfully
changed to reflect the new name and gender.

Is it possible for F.T.M. transsexuals to have children?

Some F.T.M. transsexuals have children before undergoing sex reassignment surgery (S.R.S.).
Some F.T.M.s adopt children or their wives become pregnant through artificial insemination.
F.T.M. transsexuals are infertile after S.R.S.

This information provided courtesy of The American Boyz, a national support and social group for people who were assigned female gender at birth but who feel that is not an adequate or
complete description of who they are along with their significant others, friends, families, and allies.

The Gender Centre is committed to developing and providing services and activities, which enhance the ability of people with
gender issues to make informed choices. We offer a wide range of services to people with gender issues, their partners, family members and friends in New South
Wales. We are an accommodation service and also act as an education, support, training and referral resource centre to other organisations and service
providers. The Gender Centre is committed to educating the public and service providers about the needs of people with gender issues. We specifically aim to
provide a high quality service, which acknowledges human rights and ensures respect and confidentiality.

Polare Magazine

The Gender Centre's quarterly magazine is always packed with informative article of interest to those within the transgender community and
our supporters.

Polare magazine has been continuously published since 1993, articles from back issues are available on this website.

Out Now!

related articles

The Gender Centre library service provides resource information to transgender people, their families, partners and friends and also provides information to the public
and service providers about the needs of people that are exploring their gender-identity. Resources include books, magazines and newsletters, as well as an archive or film
and recorded television shows that reflect the experiences of the sex and gender diverse.

Since 1993 Polare Magazine has been published quarterly by the Gender Centre and features reports from our staff, news items of interest, current affairs, letters to
the editor, opinion pieces, book reviews, directory assistance and personal stories, indeed just about anything that is of interest to the sex and gender diverse
communities and our supporters. Polare is free and is also available to be downloaded online.

The Gender Centre organises regular events and workshops that help to provide information that deals with particular issues of interest to transgender and gender
variant people as well as those exploring their gender-identity. These events and workshops also serve to reduce the isolation of transgender and gender diverse. Browse our
"Events and Workshops" page for an event of interest and remember, bookings are essential.

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The Gender Centre website receives thousands of hits each week from transgender, gender diverse and gender questioning people, their
families and friends, students, medical professionals and other service providers, media outlets, political organisations and lobby groups from Sydney, New
South Wales, Australia and around the world.

Negotiable rates for appropriate Community Services Organisations. Contact the Gender Centre today on (02) 9569 2366 or
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The Gender Centre Inc. is funded by the N.S.W.
Government Department of Human Services, Community Services under the S.A.A.P. program
and supported by the N.S.W. Health, Sydney Local Health District through the
AIDS and Infectious Diseases Branch.